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Angel Shark Conservation Network

A community working to better protect angel sharks

 

Angel Shark Conservation Network

A community working to better protect angel sharks

 

Angel Shark Conservation Network

A community working to better protect angel sharks

WHAT ARE ANGEL SHARKS?

Angel sharks are flat-bodied sharks which can grow up to 2.4m in length and are normally found submerged in sandy habitats in coastal waters. Angel sharks (Squatinidae) rank as the second most threatened family of elasmobranchs (sharks, skates and rays) in the world. Three species, Squatina squatina (Angelshark), Squatina aculeata (Sawback angelshark) and Squatina oculata (Smoothback angelshark), are found in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea, all listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and are the current focus of our efforts given their threat status:

Once widespread throughout coastal areas of these regions, angel sharks have suffered steep declines throughout their historic range. Information on Sawback Angelshark and Smoothback Angelshark is severely lacking, however the Canary Islands have been identified as a unique stronghold for the Angelshark, as this species is still regularly sighted.

GLOBAL ID GUIDE

There are currently 23 accepted valid species of angel shark in the family Squatinidae. Many of these species have overlapping ranges and similar morphology, meaning they can be challenging to distinguish from one another. The Shark Trust has developed a guide to angel shark identification to help improve accuracy of species identification and reporting, and therefore aid conservation efforts.

CONSERVATION ACTION

Since 2016, the ASCN Partners and a wide range of collaborators have focused on developing strategic conservation planning documents for angel sharks.

A number of Action Plans have been developed at different geographical scales via multidisciplinary workshops. All these documents sit underneath the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Angel Shark Conservation Strategy, and aim to identify the key actions needed to overcome major threats to angel sharks in each specific region.

The ASCN actively encourages individuals or organisations across the range to get involved in delivering the Action Plans in collaboration.

EASTERN ATLANTIC AND MEDITERRANEAN ANGEL SHARK CONSERVATION STRATEGY

Vision:
Angel sharks in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean are restored to robust populations and safeguarded throughout their natural range

MEDITERRANEAN ANGEL SHARKS: REGIONAL ACTION PLAN

Vision:
Mediterranean angel sharks are restored to robust populations fulfilling their ecological roles in healthy ecosystems

Arabic

ANGEL SHARK ACTION PLAN FOR THE CANARY ISLANDS

Vision:
Angelsharks in the Canary Islands are abundant and protected in their unique stronghold

WALES ANGELSHARK ACTION PLAN

Vision:
A thriving population of Angelsharks in Wales

English

MEDITERRANEAN ANGEL SHARKS: SUB-REGIONAL ACTION PLANS

Vision:
To facilitate further coordinated action by engaging regional stakeholders, including governments and industry, in these priority regions for angel sharks

SOUTHERN IONIAN SEA GSA 21

English
Arabic

AEGEAN SEA AND CRETE GSA 22-23

Turkish

NORTHERN LEVANT SEA GSA 24

English
Turkish

NORTHERN CYPRUS GSA 25

English
Turkish

REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS GSA 25

English
Cypriot Greek

If you have supplementary information about angel sharks, please complete the questionnaire.

THREATS TO ANGEL SHARKS

Habitat and Pollution

Habitat degradation through pollution, anchor damage, coastal development and marine infrastructure, particularly at critical angel shark areas (areas containing essential features necessary for the conservation of angel sharks e.g. nursery grounds, aggregation areas etc.).

Human interaction

Disturbance of angel sharks in shallow coastal areas by beach users and divers – whether intentional or accidental.

Legislation

Lack of appropriate legislation to protect angel sharks or poor enforcement of existing legislation.

Little Research

Lack of data on life history, distribution and habitat requirements to inform conservation measures.

Community awareness

Little awareness of the presence of angel sharks and their Critically Endangered status.

Fisheries

Intensification of demersal fishing practices over the last 100 years is the major factor identified in the decline of angel sharks across their range. These slow-growing and late-maturing species are still accidentally caught in the recreational fishing sector and in some commercial fishing gear.

Please help us protect Angel Sharks in the Canary Islands, East Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea by reporting your sighting to the Angel Shark Sightings Map. This information will be shared amongst the Partners and Collaborators to better understand and conserve Angel Sharks in the region.

ANGEL SHARK CONSERVATION NETWORK (ASCN)

The success of the Action Plan and Strategy is ultimately down to the individuals and organisations working together towards the common Visions.
All interested parties are invited to join the ASCN, help to deliver the objectives laid out in each document and receive updates on angel shark conservation news.

The purpose of the ASCN is to:

Facilitate dialogue and information sharing on all matters concerning angel shark conservation, including collaborative projects and joint funding opportunities.

Host an email-group to send updates, providing information on activities in progress or completed as part of the Action Plan or Strategy.

Ensure that consistent and clear messages regarding angel shark conservation is delivered to the wider community.

Encourage a core group of individuals/organisations to attend a follow-on Angel Shark Conservation Workshop in 2020

Join our multidisciplinary Angel Shark Conservation Network (ASCN) and help us to protect these Critically Endangered sharks.

Sign up for email updates

INTERNATIONAL #ANGELSHARKDAY

Celebrate International Angel Shark Day on the 26th June every year. A day for all 23 species of angel sharks. Search #AngelSharkDay on social media to hear about work from researchers and conservationists in different regions.

Since 2020 the ASCN has been celebrating International #AngelSharkDay,  taking to social media to share resources, experiences, publications and facts about angel sharks far and wide.

Over the years we have hosted a variety of talks from researchers and conservationists working on angel sharks, covering a whole host of topics. These are still available to watch on our dedicated YouTube channels: 2020 & 2021.

In 2023, we used editable #AngelSharkDay profile cards to share your stories on social media. Search #AngelSharkDay on social media to check them out!

Keep an eye out for #AngelSharkDay updates for 2024 here and by subscribing to our eBulletin here.

WHO’S INVOLVED

The following organisations work alongside a number of individuals as part of the ASCN.
The organisations in this list will be updated quarterly with additional members.

PROGRESS TO DATE

The Angel Shark Conservation Network (ASCN) is working with partners to deliver actions set out in the Action Plan and Strategy. Major achievements are shown below. Full details of angel shark conservation news and research are sent to the ASCN through quarterly e-bulletins.

ANGELS OF THE ADRIATIC

A new report published by WWF, the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Split, and the Angel Shark Project takes a look at how angel sharks might still be using the Adriatic. The data gathered will act as a baseline for future work in Croatia, and includes six key recommendations to improve understanding and conservation of angel sharks in the region (view the full report here and summary here).

ANGELSHARK NURSERY AREAS IN THE CANARY ISLANDS

ASP:CI research has identified one confirmed and 13 potential Angelshark nursery areas around the Canary Island archipelago, with data used to develop a Guidance Document to better protect important habitats of this Critically Endangered species.

ASCN RESEARCH ON ANGEL SHARK EXTINCTION RISK

Research led by the ASCN Partners to assess angel shark extinction risk across the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea was published in ICES Journal of Marine Science. Results show that Sawback Angelshark range has declined by 51%, Smoothback Angelshark range by 48% and Angelshark range by 58%.

FULL PROTECTION FOR ANGEL SHARKS IN THE CANARY ISLANDS

The Spanish Ministry of Ecological Transition have announced today (6th June 2019) that angel shark populations are fully protected in the Canary Islands, through inclusion in the category “in danger of extinction” on the Spanish Endangered Species List. This is of vital importance to enable continued survival of angel sharks in their unique stronghold.

IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group Red List Assessments

The IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group is currently undertaking a global reassessment of all sharks, rays, and chimaeras for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species through a series of regional workshops. So far we have successfully completed 4 workshops and assessed 357 species, with plans for 7 more workshops throughout 2019/2020 to assess the full ~1,250 chondrichthyan species.

DEVELOPMENT OF ANGEL SHARK SIGHTINGS MAP (Objective 5.1 of the Action Plan)

A collaborative sightings map was developed in December 2016 to have a central coordinated system to gather sightings of angel sharks across their range.

NEW PAPER PUBLISHED ON ANGELSHARK ECOLOGY IN THE CANARY ISLANDS (Objective 5.1 of the Action Plan)

The Angel Shark Project used data collected through POSEIDON (a citizen science program to collect marine biodiversity data in the Canary Islands), to identify the distribution patterns, habitat use and population structure of the Angelshark (Squatina squatina) in its last stronghold.

NEW PROJECT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND ANGELSHARK POPULATIONS IN WELSH WATERS (Objective 1.4 and Objective 2.1 of the Strategy)

The Angel Shark Project and Natural Resources Wales are asking fishers across Wales to report any accidental captures of Angelsharks and follow best practice guidance to ensure Angelsharks are safely return to the water unharmed.

RESOURCES

  • Best Practice to Release Angelsharks if Accidentally Caught (English | Español | Eλληνικά)
    Developed by the Angel Shark Project and recreational fishers in the Canary Islands to reduce Angelshark mortality after accidental capture.
  • Angelshark Sea Angling Advisory (English)
    Developed by the Shark Trust to show protected status of Angelsharks in UK waters
  • Angelshark Commercial Fisheries Advisory (English | Spanish | French | Dutch | Turkish | Greek)
    Developed by the Shark Trust to show protected status of Angelsharks
  • Angel Shark Project: Canary Islands Leaflet (English | Español)
    Information leaflet on Angel Shark Project: Canary Islands and how you can be involved
  • Welsh fisher information leaflet (English | Cymraeg)
    Shows how to safely release Angelsharks if accidentally caught and where to report your accidental capture
  • Convention of Migratory Species Concerted Action For the Angelshark (English | Español | Français)
    Outlines priority actions to be completed by the parties to improve protection of Angelsharks across their range
  • Results of sportfisher client questionnaires in the Canary Islands (English)
    The Angel Shark Project completes questionnaires with clients of sportfisher charter boats in the Canary Islands to evaluate impact of the fisher engagement work.
  • Angelshark Code of Conduct for SCUBA & Snorkel (English | CymraegEspañol | Eλληνικά)
    Shows best practice SCUBA & snorkel procedure if you’re lucky enough to encounter an Angelshark in Wales
  • Guidance Document for Juvenile Angelshark Habitat in the Canary Islands (English | Español)
    Developed by the Angel Shark Project to better protect important habitats of this Critically Endangered species.
  • Saving the last Angel Sharks of the Mediterranean Sea: X-ray report on spatial protection for Angel Sharks with a focus on the Adriatic Sea (English)
    Developed by WWF and the Angel Shark Project to improve understanding and conservation of angel sharks in Croatia.
  • Angels of the Adriatic – summary report (English)
    A report published by WWF, the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Split, and the Angel Shark Project takes a look at how angel sharks might still be using the Adriatic.
  • Strengthening angel shark conservation in the Southern Aegean Sea (English)
    Report developed by iSea and Shark Trust to identify critical areas where targeted action should be taken to conserve the three species of angel shark found in the region.
  • A guide to angel shark identification (English)
    A global angel shark identification guide, developed by the Shark Trust
  • Mediterranean Angel Sharks: SubRegional Action Plan (SubRAP) – GSA 21 (Southern Ionian Sea) (English | Arabic)
  • Mediterranean Angel Sharks: SubRegional Action Plan (SubRAP) – GSA 22-23 (Aegean Sea and Crete) (English | Turkish | Greek)
  • Mediterranean Angel Sharks: SubRegional Action Plan (SubRAP) – GSA 24 (Northern Levant Sea) (English | Turkish)
  • Mediterranean Angel Sharks: SubRegional Action Plan (SubRAP) – GSA 25 (Cyprus – Northern Cyprus) (English | Turkish)
  • Mediterranean Angel Sharks: SubRegional Action Plan (SubRAP) – GSA 25 (Cyprus – Republic of Cyprus) (English | Cypriot Greek)

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    Photos used on this webpage c. Carlos Suarez and Michael J Sealey; video used on this webpage c. Felipe Ravina Olivares